Reeling mechanism



July 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY REELING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 3, 1950 INVENTOR Nev/ 1 Ran/7e Ill l-llllll y 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY 2,756,941

REEILING MECHANISM Original Filed June 3, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig. 2

INVENTOR A/e/VJ. Ran/79y July 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY REELING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 3, 1950 IN VE NTO R Ne/Yd. Ran/76y 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Nev/d Rsvmqy N. J. RANNEY REELING MECHANISM July 31, 1956 Original Filed June 3, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 3, 1950 July 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY 2,756,941

REELING MECHANISM Original Filed June 3.. 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 578m .Fl 7

INVENTOR July 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY REELING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed June 3, 1950 INVENTOR Ale/7d. Ran/7e July 31, 1956 N. J. RANNEY REELING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed June 3, 1950 am fi m r7 3 I O fil In 5% a, w {2230 MM M m 0 I III! M mmm mmn mom u N d 6 II I- \lll. .l l w... .f I L n e u n u W My m u m n i won Nun mmN 22. 2:: nova-0 Umlm fates Patent REELING MECHANISM Neil J. Ranney, Mentor Township, Lake County, Ohio,

assignor to Wean Equipment Corporation, Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 31 Claims. (Cl. 242-78) This invention relates to reeling mechanism. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 166,034, filed June 3, 1950.

I have embodied the invention in apparatus for reeling wire fencing as it comes from a machine for making wire fencing. The apparatus includes mechanism rendering substantially continuous and automatic the forming of wire fencing in coils of predetermined capacity and the delivery of those coils sequentially as they are formed.

The power for moving the fencing through the apparatus is derived from the coiler which pulls the fencing through the apparatus and coils it up. Means are provided for pulling the fencing forward to the coiler each time the coiler has been stopped and has discharged a coil since the leading end of the fencing which remains in the apparatus after cutting off the coiled fencing must be advanced to the coiler to commence formation of the succeeding coil. Tothis end I provide a pinch roll unit through which the fencing passes. When the pinch roll unit is to-be rendered operative the upper roll is pressed down to clamp the fencing between the two rolls of the pinch roll unit and when it is desired to advance the fencing from the pinch roll unit to the coiler the lower roll is driven in a direction to move the fencing forward.

A counter wheel is preferably provided Which may be mounted at any suitable location, as, for example, on the entry side of the pinch roll unit.

A shear is positioned between the pinch roll unit and the coiler for severing the coiled up fencing from the uncoiled fencing disposed in the apparatus. I provide an automatic device for insuring that a portion of the fencing intermediate stay wires is disposed in the shear throat when the shear is operated to shear the fencing.

Entry guides are provided for guiding the leading edge of the fencing to the coiler. I preferably provide means such as a rotary cam limit switch to index the coiler into position with the slot aligned with the fencing so that as the leading end of the fencing is advanced to the coiler it will enter the slot.

I preferably provide automatic control means for the shear and coiler. Such means will be described in detail below. With my improved apparatus it is not necessary to stop the fence machine proper at all and the time required to drop out a finished coil and start a new coil is but a small fraction of the time heretofore required for removing a coil from the coiler and starting a new 2,756,941 Patented July 31, 1956 ice Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in transverse cross section of the pinch roll unit of my apparatus;

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal cross section of the pinch roll unit;

Figure 3 is a plan view to enlarged scale of the coiler;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the coiler;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in transverse cross section of the coiler;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the shear;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse elevational view of the shear;

Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on the line IX--IX of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is an electrical diagram of the apparatus.

The pinch roll unit is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Its purpose is to advance the fencing to the coiler after a length of coiled fencing has been sheared from the uncoiled fencing being delivered. Since the shear is disposed in front of the coiler it is necessary to feed forward the leading end of the uncoiled fencing after a coil has been removed from the coiler to thread the uncoiled fencing into the coiler to start a new coil. Also, the pinch roll unit when operative prevents backward movement of the fencing due to backward tension exerted on the fencing in the apparatus after the coiled fencing has been sheared from the uncoiled fencing.

The pinch roll unit comprises a lower roll 281 and an upper roll 282. The rolls are cylindrical and mounted with their axes parallel one directly above the other. Each roll has a heavy rubber covering 283 to promote traction on the fencing while avoiding damage to the fencing. The heavy rubber coverings 283 of the rolls 281 and 282 also yield to permit-passage of the twists or so-called buttons of the fencing which have a thickness perpendicular to the plane of the fencing of some three times the diameter of the wire.

The pinch rolls 281 and 282 are mounted in a housing 284. The lower pinch roll 281 is mounted for rotation about a-fixed axis in bearings 285. The lower pinch roll 281 is adapted to be driven to advance the fencing from the looper toward the coiler. The upper pinch roll 282 is anidler roll and not driven.

Mounted in the frame in axial alignment with the shaft 286 of the lower pinch roll 281 is a gear motor 287. The shaft of the gear motor 287 is connected with the shaft 286 of the lower pinch roll 281 by an overrunning coupling 288 which provides for driving of the lower pinch roll 281 by the motor 287 to advance fencing from the looper toward the coiler and also permits turning of the roll 281 in case the fencing is pulled through the pinch roll unit by the coiler while the pinch rolls are pressed against opposite faces of the fencing but the motor 287 is not operating. A magnetic brake 289 is connected with the outboard end of the shaft of the motor 287 to hold the motor shaft against turning when no current is delivered to the motor. The magnetic brake 289 and the overrunning coupling 288 hold the lower pinch roll 281 against backward turning due to backward tension exerted on the fencing in the looper when the pinch rolls are gripping the fencing and the motor 287 is not runmng.

Mounted for up-and-down sliding movement in the housing 284 is a crosshead 290. Connected to the crosshead 290 are bearings 291 in which the upper pinch roll 282 is mounted for free turning movement. Mounted atop the housing 284 is a cylinder 292 whose axis is vertical, the cylinder being disposed centrally of the housing. A piston operates in the cylinder 292 and connected 3 with the piston is a piston rod 292a which extends downwardly and out through the lower cylinder head and is connected with the crosshead 290 at 293.

The piston in the cylinder 292 is operated by compressed air. Air under pressure from a suitable air compressor (not shown) is delivered to a pipe 294 which delivers it into a valve chamber 295. Also entering the valve chamber 295 are a pipe 296 communicating with the upper end of the cylinder 292 and a pipe 297 communicating with the lower end of the cylinder 292. The valve chamber 295' contains a valve adapted to be moved between two positions in one of which the compressed air source 294 is connected with the pipe 296 to deliver compressed air to the top of the cylinder 292 while the pipe 297 is connected with exhaust and in the other of which the compressed air source 294 is connected with the pipe 297 'todeliver compressed air to the bottom of the cylinder 292 while the pipe 296 is connected with exhaust. The valve is operated by a lever 298, one end of which is connected with a solenoid 299 and the other end of which is connected with a solenoid 300. Operation of one of the solenoids moves the valve to one position while operation of the other solenoid moves the valve to the other position.

Journaled in the frame for free turning movement is a shaft 301. Keyed to the shaft 301 and disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pinch rolls 281 and 282 and intermediate the ends of thoserolls is a wheel 302 having nine radially projecting pins 303. The wheel is positioned below the pass line of the fencing and so that th e pins 303 project upwardly through the fencing between line wires. The circumferential spacing of the pins 303 is such that the circumferential distance between adjacent pins is eithersubstantially equal to the longitudinal distance between stay wires in the fencing or a multiple of that distance. As the fencing advances through the pinch roll unit from left to right viewing Figure 2 the stay wires successively engage the pins 303 and turn the wheel 302 in the clockwise direction. Since the wheel 302 is keyed to the shaft 301 turning of the wheel also turns the shaft.

Keyed tothe shaft 301 is a sprocket 304. Mounted on a bracket 305 carried by the frame is a counter 306 having a shaft 307. Keyed to the counter shaft 307 is a sprocket 303. The sprockets 304 and 338 are disposed in coplanar relationship and are connected by a sprocket chain 309 through which the sprocket 304 drives the sprocket 308 and hence operates the counter 306. Thus the counter 306 in effect records the length of fencing passing through the pinch roll unit. The counter 306 is connected with the coiler so as to stop turning of the coiler to coil up fencing when a predetermined length of fencing has been coiled up.

I provide a safety device to apply a brake to the apparatus if the wheel 302 should turn backwards, i. e., in the counterclockwise direction viewing Figure 2. Fastened to the shaft 301 by a screw 31.3 is a disc 31.1 which is circular and concentric with the shaft 301. Disposed about the shaft 301 at opposite sides of the disc 311 and mounted loosely on the shaft so that the shaft may turn relatively thereto are collars 312. Welded to collars 312 is a downwardly projecting frame 313. The collars 312 and the frame 313 form a unit which is turnable about the axis of the shaft 301. Movement of the frame 313 to the left or in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 301 viewing Figure 2 is limited by a stop member 314 mounted on a bracket 315 carried by the frame. In normal clockwise rotation of the wheel 302 viewing Figure 2 friction of the shaft 301 within the collars 312 urges the frame 313 against the stop 314-.

The frame 313 has a vertical slot 316 in which is mounted for vertical sliding movement a unit 317 including hubs 318 within which is disposed at cross pin 319. Mounted on the cross pin 319 is a cam 32% which projects upwardly and is adapted to engage the disc 311 at the bottom of the periphery thereof. The earn 320 is of progressively increasing radius from the axis of the cross pin 319 in the direction from right to left viewing Figure 2. The unit 317 is urged upwardly in the slot 316 by a compression coil spring 321. The cam 320 has a lateral projection 322 and a tension coil spring 323 extends between the projection 322 and a connection 324 at the lower portion of the frame 313. The spring 323 urges the cam 320 to turn in the clockwise direction about the axis of the cross pin 319 viewing Figure 2. An adjustable stop screw 325 is provided in a portion of the frame 313 for limiting the extent to which the cam 320 can turn in the clockwise direction viewing Figure 2.

On the bottom of the frame 313 is a limit switch operating earn 326 adapted when the frame 313 moves toward the right or in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 301 viewing Figure 2 to operate a limit switch 327 which applies the magnetic brake 262 and also stops the apparatus.

When the wheel 3152 is turning normally in the clockwise direction viewing Figure 2 as the fencing advances from the looper toward the coiler the cam 320 will be urged by the spring 321 against the bottom of the disc 311, but since the disc 311 is turning in the clockwise direction viewing Figure 2 about the axis of the shaft 301 the cam will have no function and as above stated the frame 313 will simply be frictionally urged against the step 314 as shown in Figure 2. When, however, due to abnormal conditions the wheel 302 commences to turn in the counterclockwise direction viewing Figure 2 the disc 311 through frictional engagement with the cam 320 will cause the cam 320 to turn somewhat in the clockwise direction about the axis of the pin 319. Due to the upward presssure of the spring 321 on the unit 317 this will have the effect of temporarily frictionally locking the frame 313 to the disc 311 so that for a short angular distance the frame 313 moves with the disc 311 and the shaft 301 in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 301 viewing Figure 2. The frame 313 moves through only a few degrees until the earn 326 operates the limit switch 327.

The pinch roll unit is providedwith upper and lower entry guides 328 and 329, respectively, and with upper and lower exit guides 330 and 331, respectively. The guides 328, 329, 330 and 331 insure maintenance of the fencing in the desired pass line. The upper surfaces of the lower guides 329 and 331 are at slightly higher elevation than the top of the roll 231 and keep the fencing from unduly wearing the surface of the roll 231 when the upper roll 282 is not holding the fencing against the roll 281. Also, the upper guides 328 and 330 hold the fencing down out of contact with the upper roll 282 when that roll is in its upper or inoperative position. An entry'roller'332 over which the fencing passes as it enters the pinch roll unit also serves to preserve the pass line of the fencing and to relieve the guide 329 and the roll 281 of excessive wear.

Connected with the crosshead 290 is a bracket 333 to which is bolted at 334 an angle 335. Connected with the angle 335 but insulated from the bracket by insulation 336 is a bronze contact finger 337. The angle 335 is adjustable in a direction parallel to the pass line on the bracket 333 to insure proper operation. The function of the contact finger 337 and its associated mecha- 'nism will be described below.

It is feasible to mount the bronze contact finger 337 on the crosshead 290 which carries the upper pinch roll 282 because at the time when the operation of the coiler is stopped to position the fencing for shearing the upper pinch roll 282 is lowered into its operative position to grip the fencing and prevent the uncoiled fencing from moving backward when the coiled fencing has been sheared from the uncoiled fencing. Also, such mounting of the bronze contact finger 337 avoids wear on that finger during normal operation of the apparatus.

It may possibly happen th at the coiler will not have come to a complete stop by the time the bronze contact finger 337 intersects the pass line of the fencing but the bronze contact finger and the electrical connections therewith will bring about the same ultimate result as though the coiler had previously stopped.

Connected with the crosshead 290 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a rod 38 which caries a limit switch operating shoe 339. Mounted on a bracket 340 carried by the frame are a lower limit switch 341 and an upper limit switch 342. When the upper pinch roll 282 is in its lower or operative position the shoe 339 operates the limit switch 341 and when the upper pinch roll 282 is in its upper or inoperative position the shoe 339 operates the limit switch 342. The functions of the limit switches 341 and 342 will be described below.

Disposed beyond the pinch roll unit in the pass line of the fencing is a shear which is shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. The shear is for severing fencing which has been coiled up on the coiler from uncoiled fencing. The shear shown is of the type having a stationary upper blade and vertically operable lower blade.

The upper shear blade 343 is bolted as shown at 344 to a blade carrier 345 welded at 346 to the under surface of a head 347 fastened by bolts 348 to a member 349 forming a part of the frame of the shear. The head 347 maybe adjusted parallel to the pass line by adjusting screws 350.

The lower shear blade 351 is bolted as shown at 352 to a blade carrier 353 connected by a pin 354 with a clevis.

355. The blade carrier 353 is guided for vertical reciprocating movement in guides 356 carried by the shear frame 357. The clevis 355 is connected with the upper end of a piston rod 358 connected with a piston operating in a cylinder 359 mounted at 360 upon the shear frame. The piston in the cylinder 359 is operated by compressed air. A solenoid operated valve is shown at 361. Compressed air from any suitable compressor enters through a pipe 362. An exhaust or outlet pipe is shown at 363. A connection 364 extends from the valve to the upper end of the cylinder 359. A connection 365 extends from the valve to the lower end of the cylinder 359. When the solenoid operating the valve 361 is energized the valve moves to a position in which compressed air from the pipe 362 is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 359 through the connection 365. When the solenoid is deenergized the valve moves to a position in which compressed air from the pipe 362 is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 359 through the connection 364. Whichever one of the connections 364 and 365 is not in communication with the source of compressed air at any time is in communication with the exhaust or outlet pipe 363.

When the solenoid operating the valve 361 is energized the lower shear blade 351 moves upwardly and cooperates with the upper shear blade 343 to shear the uncoiled fencing from the coiled fencing. We have described above the means which insures that at the time of shearing the fencing will be stopped with a portion thereof intermediate stay wires in the throat of the shear. As soon as the lower shear blade 351 has completed its upward movement and has sheared the fencing the solenoid operating the valve 361 is de-energized and the lower shear blade 351 immediately returns to its lower position.

A stripper 366 is keyed to a shaft 367 journaled in bearings 368 connected with the shear frame by screws 368a. The stripper 366 is normally urged downwardly, or to turn in the clockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 367, viewing Figure 9, by a tension coil spring 369 connected at 370 to an arm 370a fixed to the shaft 367 and at 371 to an eye fastened to a stationary member at 372. The stripper 366 carries a stop screw 373 adapted when the stripper is moved downwardly by the spring 369 to engage a stationary stop member 374 to limit downwardmovement of the stripper. Thus the stripper normally occupies the position shown in Figure 9. It helps to guide the fencing to the shear throat but its primary function is to strip the leading end of the uncoiled fencing from the upper shear blade 343 when the lower shear blade 351 moves downwardly at the completion of a shearing operation. When the fencing is being sheared and the lower shear blade 351 moves upwardly into cooperative relationship with the upper shear blade 343 the stripper 366 is moved somewhat upwardly against the action of the spring 369 so that intensified action of the spring 369 is brought to bear through the stripper 366 upon the leading edge of the uncoiled fencing to strip it downwardly from the upper shear blade 343 upon completion of the shearing operation.

Stationary guides 375 and 376 guide the fencing passing from the shear to the coiler which is disposed to the right of the shear viewing Figure 9. Movable guides 377 and 378 guide the leading edge of uncoiled fencing after a shearing operation into the throat of the coiler presently to be described. The guides 377 and 378 extend close to the coiler throat. Since the diameter of the coil of fencing coiled up on the coiler increases materially during formation of a coil the guides 377 and 378 are mounted so as to be movable to inoperative position after the leading edge of the uncoiled fencing has been guided into the coiler throat.

The lower guide 377 is fastened to a shaft 379 journaled for rotation in a bracket 380 mounted on the shear frame. The upper guide 378 is fastened to a shaft 381 also journaled for rotation in the bracket 380. Fastened to the shaft 381 is an arm 382. Fastened to the shaft 379 is an arm 383. The arms 382 and 383 are connected together by an adjustable link 384. Also fastened to the shaft 379 is an arm 385. The arm 385 is pivoted at 386 to a piston rod 387 connected with a piston operating in a cylinder 388 pivoted at 389 to a stud 390 adjustably mounted in a bracket 391 forming part of the shear frame. When the piston in the cylinder 388 moves upwardly the guides 377 and 378 are moved apart to their open position. When the piston in the cylinder 388 moves downwardly the guides 377 and 378 are moved toward each other into their operative position as shown in full lines in Figure 9.

A double solenoidvalve shown more or less diagrammatically in Figures 7 and 8 at 392 and which functions similarly to the valve 295 shown in Figure 1 is provided for controlling the fiow of compressed air to the respective ends of the cylinder 388.

Fastened to the shear frame at 393 is a bracket 394 which carries two limit switches 395 and 396, respectively. The limit switch 395 is disposed directly above the limit switch 396. Connected with the lower shear blade carrier 353 is an L-shaped limit switch trip bar 397 one leg 398 of which lies in the paths of the operating members of the limit switches 395 and 396. When the lower shear blade carrier 353 is in its upper position, i. e., when the shear is operative to shear the fencing, the leg 398 of the bar 397 operates the limit switch 395. When the lower shear blade carrier 353 is in its lower position, i. e., when the shear is inoperative and the lower shear blade 351 is spaced from the upper shear blade 343, the leg 398 of the bar 397 operates the limit switch 396. The functions of the limit switches 395 and396 will be described below.

Projecting from the shaft 379 are two limit switch operating fingers 399 and 400, respectively. Fingers 399 and 498 are in different planes. Mounted on the shear frame with its operating portion in the path of movement of the finger 488 is a limit switch 401. Mounted on the shear frame with its operating portion in the path of movement of the finger 399 is a limit switch 402. When the guides 377 and 378 are in their operative positions as shown in full lines in Figure 9 the finger 400 operates the limit switch 401. When the guides 377 and 378 are in their open or inoperative positions the finger 399 operates the limit switch 402. The functions of the limit switches 401and 402 will be described below.

The coiler is shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6. It comprises a bed 4-03 in which is journaled for rotation a shaft 404. The shaft 494 is disposed below the pass line of the fencing moving to the coiler and on the side of the coiler from which the fencing is delivered to the coiler so that the fencing passes over the shaft 404 which extends across the coiler from side to side. A gear motor 405 is connected with the shaft 494 by a coupling 4%. Keyed to the shaft 4% are two sprockets 4d? and 49S. Disposed generally above the shaft 404 are two intermediate shafts 4'39 and 410, respectively, one at each side of the coiler. The shaft 469 is mounted for rotation in bearings 411 and the shaft 410 is mounted for rotation in bearings 412. The shafts sea and 410 in addition to being rotatable in the'respective bearings 411 and 412 are also axially movable therein. Each of the shafts 409 and 41% has therein a keyway 4-13. Mounted on each of the shafts 409 and 410 between the bearings 411 in the one case and 412 in the other case is a sprocket 4-14 having an inwardly projecting key projecting into the corresponding keyway 413. The sprockets 414 are disposed coplanar With'the sprockets 4617 and 413%, respectively. A sprocket chain 4-15 extends about the sprocket iii? and the sprocket 414 thereabove and a sprocket chain 416 extends about the sprockct 498 and the sprocket 414 thereabove. By means of the construction described the intermediate shafts 409 and 41s are both constantly driven from the shaft 4-04 while at the same time the intermediate shafts 4&9 and 41% are movable axially in their bearings.

The coiler frame carries at opposite sides of the pass line of the fencing transverse guides 417. In each of the guides 417 is mounted a slide 418. Each of the slides 418 extends upwardly and has at its top a bearing 419. Carried by the coiler frame in axial alignment with each of the bearings 41? is another bearing 42-0. Mounted for rotation in each of the bearings 2-19 and also extend-- ing through the corresponding bearing 42!) is a coiler shaft 421. When each slide 413 slides along its guideway 4-17 its coiler shaft 421 moves with the slide since that shaft is held against endwise movement relatively to the bearings 4-19. Axial movement of each of the coiler shafts 421 causes it to slide axially within the corresponding stationary bearing 42%.

Each slide 415 has an arm 422 projecting laterally therefrom. At the end of each arm 422 is a bearing 423 in which one of the shafts 46% or 419 is journaled. Each of the shafts 4'89 and 410 is journaled in a like hearing 4-23 at the end of one of the arms 4-22 and is maintained against axial movement relatively thereto.

Keyed to the shaft on is a sprocket Z Keyed to the shaft 41 3 is a sprocket 425. Keyed to each of the coiler shafts 2-21 is a sprocket 426. The sprocket 424 and one of the sprockets 42s are coplanar and a sprocket chain 427 extends thereabout. The sprocket 4525 and the other sprocket 426 are coplanar and a sprocket chain 42%; extends thereabout. Thus each of the coiler shafts 421. moves axially as a unit with the corresponding intermediate shaft 409 or 451i while being continuously driven from that intermediate shaft, the intermediate shafts in turn being driven from the shaft 464. This enables the coiler shafts 47.1 to be moved toward and away from 833'! other without disconnecting the driving means therefor.

Each of the coiler shafts 421 carries at its extremity a coiler head 429'. When the coiler shafts 421 are both in their extreme inward positions the heads 429 substantial.- ly come together to form in effect a coiling mandrel about which the fencing is adapted to be coiled. Each head 429 has therein a slot 435 which is open at the end of the head,

the two slots 439 constituting together a threading slot in the coiling mandrel adapted to receive the leading end of a length of fencing to be coiled up on the mandrel. This is clearly shown in Figure 6.

Connected to each of the slides 41% at 431 is a piston rod 432 connected with a piston in a cylinder 433 connected with a stationary frame portion at 434. The pistons in the cylinders 433 are operated by compressed air. They move the respective slides 418 axially or transversely of the pass line of the fencing'to move the coiler heads Q29 toward and away from each other.

The coiler frame has upward extensions 435 at oppo site sides of the fencing pass line, each of the upward extensions having therein a vertically extending slot 436. A rider roll 437 has trunnions 433 positioned in the slots 436. The roll 437 is adapted to ride upon the coil of fencing being formed by the coiler to compact the coil and rises upwardly as thecoil increases in diameter, being guided by the trunnions 438 which ride in the slots 436.

Air under presstire from a suitable air compressor (not shown) is delivered to a pipe 439 which delivers it into a valve chamber 440. Also communicating with the valve chamber 440 are two pipes, a pipe 441 communicating with the inner ends of the cylinder 433 and a pipe 442 communicating with the outer ends of the cylinders 433. The valve chamber 440 contains a valve adapted to be moved in two positions in one of which the compressed air source 439 is connected with the pipe 441 to deliver compressed air to the inner ends of the cylinders 433 while the pipe 442 is connected with exhaust and in the other of which the compressed air source 439 is connected with the pipe 442 to deliver compressed air to the outer ends of the cylinders 433 while the pipe 441 is connected with exhaust. The valve is operated by a lever 443, one end of which is connected with a solenoid 444 and the other end of which is connected with a solenoid 445. Operation of one of the solenoids moves the valve to one position while the operation of the other solenoid moves the valve to the other position.

As will be clear from the above description, the coiler is adapted to coil up a coil of fencing on the coiling mandrel consisting of the two heads 42%. When a coil of desired size has been coiled up the motor 4% is stopped through the mechanism above described including the counter 306 and its associated mechanism and the contact finger 337 and its associated mechanism. Thereupon the coiled fencing is sheared from the uncoiled fencing, the operator operates a manual push-button switch to turn the coiler slowly until the sheared ends of the line wires are positioned conveniently to be hooked into the coil and the operator manually hooks the ends of the line wires into the coil.

There is provided an inclined ram, the higher end of which is disposed beneath the Ceiling heads 429'as shown at 446. The ramp has a lower portion 447 which forms a continuation of the portion 446 and extends therefrom in the direction of advance of the fencing. The ramp portion 447 is resiliently mounted upon springs 443 and 449. When the operator hooks the ends of the line wires into the coil of fencing he stands on the ramp portion 447 thereby depressing that portion and operating a limit switch 450 which renders inoperative the pinch roll unit, sheara'nd coiler. That is to insure the open ators safety while he isst'anding close to the coil while in the coiler. When the operator finishes hooking in the wire ends he steps down from the ramp portion 447 and operates a manual switch buttom which brings about the separationof the coiler heads 429. As those heads move away from each other they simply withdraw from within the coil of fencing, the coil being constrained to remain in the pass line of the fencing by frame portions 451 through which the coiler heads 429 move. Vhen the coiler heads 42% have been withdrawn from the coil of fencing the coil falls by gravity upon the ramp portion 446 which causes it to roll toward the right viewing Figure 5. As the coil rolls down the ramp it passes over and depresses a treadle 452 which is pivoted to the coiler frame at 453. The treadle carries an adjustable limit switch operating cam 454 which operates a limit switch 455. Operation of the limit switch 455 causes the heads 429 to move toward each other into operative position in the pass line of the fencing.

Mounted on the coiler frame adjacent one of the slides 418 are two limit switches 456 and 457 (Figure 3). The slide has a projection 458 which when the slide is in its inward position as shown in Figure 3 operates the limit switch 456 and which when the slide is in its outer position operates the limit switch 457.

As shown in Figure 5 the composite slot 430 in the coiling mandrel has a relatively wide mouth at one side. When the leading edge of a length of fencing is to be threaded into the slot 430 it is desired to turn the shafts 421 until the wide mouth of that slot is positioned facing to the left viewing Figure 5 and in the pass line of the fencing. This is accomplished by mechanism now to be described. There is provided a rotary cam limit switch 459 which is mounted on the base beside the gear motor 405. Keyed to the shaft 460 of the rotary cam limit switch is a sprocket 461. Keyed to the shaft of the motor 405 is a sprocket 462. The sprockets 461 and 462 are coplanar and a sprocket chain 463 extends thereabout so that when, the motor 405 operates its drives the rotary cam limit switch 459. The rotary cam limit switch 459 although driven at all times when the motor 405 is operating is normally inoperative to perform any function. It is rendered operative by closing of the limit switch 455. The rotary cam limit switch 459 is in timed relation with the shaft 404 and hence with the coiler heads 429. When the limit switch 455 is closed the rotary cam limit switch 459 is rendered operative and the motor 405 is started. When the wide mouth of the slot 430 in the coiler comes into the position shown in Figure 5 when it is disposed in the pass line of the fencing and facing in the direction from which the fencing is fed the rotary cam limit switch stops the motor 405 so that the coiler heads are automatically indexed into the proper position to receive the leading end of the oncoming length of fencing.

I shall now describe briefly a cycle of operations of the apparatus disclosed. In doing so I shall refer to the functions of the various control elements, but I have not included in the drawings a wiring diagram of an electrical control system because the control may be effected in many different ways and from the description to follow any person skilled in the art would be able to assemble the control elements in operative relationship with such subsidiary control elements, such as relays, contactors, timers, rheostats, etc., as may be appropriate for carrying out the functions described.

When the coiler heads 429 are moved apart to discharge a coil of fencing, normally closed contacts of limit switch 456 are allowed to close. contacts energizes a sequence interlock circuit including rotary cam limit switch 459 so that when the coiler heads are again moved together they will be turned slowly into the position shown in Figure 5 and then stopped When limit switch 455 is operated by the discharged coil of fencing the coiler heads close, operating limit switch 456. When limit switch 456 is operated the guides 377 and 378 are moved to operative position and upon such movement operate limit switch 401. Also the coiler heads 429 turn slowly into the position shown in Figure 5 and then stop. When the coiler heads have been'thus positioned a circuit through limit switch 401 operates the pinch roll motor 287 to feed forward the leading end of the uncoiled fencing until the pinch roll motor 287 is stopped by a time delay (not shown), at which time the leading end of the uncoiled fencing is disposed in the coiler slot 430. At the conclusion of the operation of said time delay the guides 377 and 378 are opened. In the open position of the guides limit switch 402 is operated to release the coiler brake 464 and accelerate the coiler to maximum running speed for withdrawing fencing from the looper. Operation of limit switch 402 also energizes another time delay (not shown) which after a predetermined time interval opens the pinch rolls. Such time Closing of such interval is of such duration as to permit the coiler to make several wraps of fencing around the mandrel.

On completion of the new coil of fencing the preset counter 306 which measures a given length of fencing opens its contact to start deceleration of the coiler drive and lower the upper pinch roll 282. As the upper pinch roll 282 assumes its operative position in contact with the lower pinch roll 281 limit switch 341 is operated. Contingent on the rate of deceleration of the coiler and the rate of closure of the pinch rolls two different conditions of operation can obtain to insure that the fencing is sheared intermediate stay wires.

The first condition obtains if the coiler stops before the pinch rolls reach closed position. The contact finger 337 may come to rest on a stay wire, in which event immediate operation of the shear results. On the other hand, the contact finger 337 may come to rest intermediate stay wires, in which case upon operation of the limit switch 341 the coiler brake 464 will be released and the coiler will be advanced at slow speed until a stay wire contacts the finger 337 at which time the brake 464 will be set, the coiler will be stopped and the shear will be automatically operated. In the cutting operation of the shear limit switch 395 is operated. The lower shear blade 351 after shearing the fencingreturns immediately to its inoperative position. In the movement of the lower shear blade 351 to inoperative position the limit switch 396 is operated.

. Operation of. limit switch 395 energizes a control circuit which prevents a repeat operation of the shear until the pinch rolls have been opened. When the lower shear blade 351 is in its lower position (when the shear is inoperative) the limit switch 396 is operated to provide for the operation of the pinch roll motor to drive the lower pinch roll to advance fencing through the shear. The pinch roll motor can be operated only when the shear is open and the limit switch 396 is operated thereby.

The second condition obtains if the pinch rolls reach closed position prior to deceleration of the coiler to a predetermined slow speed. In that case the contact finger 337 'will contact a moving'stay wire or stay wires but the shear cannot be operated until the coiler motor has reached the previously mentioned predetermined slow speed. When the coiler motor reaches that speed brake 464 is set, the coiler is stopped and the shear is operated as previously explained.

The counter 306v automatically resets itself. The

' counter control circuit contains a sequence interlock to prevent subsequent operation of the coiler under control of the counter until the pinch roll unit has been opened.

After the fencing has been sheared the operator operates the coiler at slow speed to bring the end of the fencing from theshear to the coil. The operator then steps on the ramp section 447 and'hooks the wire ends into the coil. During such time limit switch 450 is held open and all electrical equipment for the portion of the apparatus from the pinch roll unit to the coiler is inoperative. After the coil ends have been hooked in the operator steps oif of the ramp section 447 and operates acontrol device energizing the solenoid 444 to move the valve in the valve chamber 440 to position to admit compressed air into the inner ends of the cylinders 443 to separate the coiler heads'429.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is claimed in my'said parent application Serial No. 166,034, filed June 3, 1950, and in my copending application Serial No. 226,702, filed May 16, 1951, which is a division of my said parent application.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention and have illustrated a present preferred method of practicing the same it is to be distinctlyunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Reeling mechanism comprising opposed supports, means for moving one of the supports toward and away from the other support, heads respectively rotatably carried by the supports, an arm extending from the support which is movable toward and away from the other support, rotary means on the arm, a connection between the rotary means and the head carried by the support from which the arm extends whereby the head is rotated upon rotation of the rotary means and means connected with the "rotary means rotating the same during movement of said support toward and away from the other support.

2. Reeling mechanism comprising a bed, a support movable along the bed, a head rotatably mounted in the support, a driving shaft extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the support along the bed, an intermediate shaft substantially parallel to the driving shaft, means extending from the support in which the intermediate shaft is mounted for rotation and for movement along the bed with the support, a rotatable member mounted in bearings fixed relatively to the bed and operatively connected with the intermediate shaft to rotate the same when said member is rotated, a driving connection from the driving shaft to said member through which said member is rotated and a driving connection from the intermediate shaft to the head through which the intermediate shaft rotates the head as the support and head move along the bed.

3. Reeling mechanism comprising a bed, a support movable along the bed, a head rotatably mounted in the support, a driving shaft extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the support along the bed, an intermediate shaft substantially parallel'to the driving shaft, means extending from the support in which the intermediate shaft is mounted for rotation and for movement along the bed with the support, a rotatable member disposed about the intermediate shaft restrained against movement along the bed with the support so that the intermediate shaft may move along the bed relatively thereto, the intermediate shaft and said member being interconnected to rotate together, a driving connection from the driving shaft to said member through which said member and hence the intermediate shaft is rotated and a driving connection from the intermediate shaft to the head through which the intermediate shaft rotates the head as the support and head move along the bed.

4. Reeling mechanism comprising a bed, a support niovablealong the bed, a head rotatably mounted in the support, a driving shaft extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the support along the bed, an intermediate shaft substantially parallel to the driving shaft, means extending from the support in which the intermediate shaft is mounted for rotation and for movement along the bed with the support, a sprocket splined to the intermediate shaft to rotate therewith but restrained against movement along the bed with the support so that the intermediate shaft may move along the bed relatively thereto, a second sprocket connected with the driving shaft to rotate therewith, a sprocket chain trained about said sprockets through which the intermediate shaft is rotated, a third sprocket fix'ed to the intermediate shaft, a fourth sprocket fixed to the head and a sprocket chain trained about the third and fourth sprockets through which the intermediate shaft rotates the head as the support and head move along the bed.

5. Reeling mechanism comprising -a rotatable head upon which elongated material is adapted to be reeled up upon rotation 'of the head, means for rotating the head to reel up material thereon, means for operating the head to discharge reeled up material therefrom, means for returning the head to position for a subsequent reeling operation and means disposed in the 'path'of reeled up material discharged by the reeling mechanism 'to be operated thereby for actuating said last-mentioned means.

6. Reeling mechanism comprising opposed separable rotatable heads adapted when disposed in adjacent cooperative relationship to reel up elongated material and when separated to discharge reeled up material, the heads when in adjacent cooperative relationship providing an opening for receiving the leading end of material to be reeled up, an actuating member disposed in the path of reeled up material discharged upon separation of the heads to be operated thereby and means actuated by'the actuating member returning the heads to adjacent cooperative relationship and turning them through an angle until the opening is properly oriented to receive the leading end of material to be reeled up and there stopping the turning movement of the heads.

7. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, openable guides for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel and a device actuable to turn the reel into position to receive the leading end of the material to be reeled up and moving the guides to relatively closed operative position to guide the leading end of the material to be reeled up to the reel.

8. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, guide means forguiding the leading end of the elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to a position relatively remote from the reel to provide clearance about the reel, and a device actuable to turn the reel to orient the opening to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and to move the guide means to operative position to guide the leading end of the material into the opening.

9. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having opposed separable heads shaped to provide an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up when the heads are in adjacent cooperative position, guide means for guiding the leading end of the elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to a position relatively remote from the reel to provide clearance about the reel, and a device actuable to move the heads into adjacent cooperative position and turn the reel to orient the opening to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and to move the guide means to operative position to guide the leading end of the material into the opening.

10. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having opposed separable heads shaped to provide an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up when the heads are in adjacent cooperative position, the heads upon being separated releasing the reeled up material, guide means for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operativebeing movable to a position relatively remote from the reel to provide clearance about the reel, an actuating member disposed in the path of the reeled up material released by the reel upon separation of the heads and means actuated upon operation of the actuating member moving the heads into adjacent cooperative position and turning the reel to orient the opening to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and moving the guide means to operative position to guide the leading end of the material into the opening.

11. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for feeding by itself the leading end of elongated material into said opening and means automatically stopping the feeding means upon feeding of the leading end of the material to a predetermined position within the opening.

12. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a'reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material and automatically stopping it there, means for feeding the elongated material to the reel and means for initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position.

13. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material and automatically stopping it there, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material into said opening, means for initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position and means automatically stopping the feeding means upon feeding of the leading end of the material to a predetermined position within the opening.

14. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material and automatically stopping it there, guide means for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to a position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided by the guide means to move into said opening and means for rendering the guide means operative and initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position.

15. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material and automatically stopping it there, guide means for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to a position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided by the guide means to move into said opening, means for rendering the guide means operative and initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position, and means automatically stopping the feeding means upon feeding of the leading end of the material to a predetermined position within the opening.

16. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having opposed separable heads shaped to provide an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up when the heads are in adjacent cooperative position, the heads upon being separated releasing the reeled up material, means for moving the heads into adjacent cooperative position after releasing reeled up material and turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and automatically stopping it there, guide means for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided by the guide means to move into said opening and means for rendering the guide means operative and initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position.

17. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having opposed separable heads shaped to provide an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up when the heads are in adjacent cooperative position, the heads upon being separated releasing the reeled up material, means for moving the heads into adjacent cooperative position after releasing reeled up material and turning the reel to orient the opening in position to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and automatically stopping it there, guide means for guiding the leading end of elongated material to the reel, erative beingmovable to position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided by the guide means to move into said opening, means for rendering the guide means operative and initiating operation of the feeding means upon turning of the reel to said position and means automatically stopping the feeding means upon feeding of the leading end of the material to a predetermined position within the opening.

18. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, guide means operatively positionable to guide the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up to the reel and when not operative movable to inoperative position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided to the reel by the guide means when operative and means operated by stopping of the feeding means moving the guide means to inoperative position.

19. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, guide means operatively positionable to guide the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up to the reel and when not operative movable to inoperative position relatively remote from the reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material so that it is guided to the reel by the guide means when operative, means for turning the reel through a partial revolution to position it to receive the leading end of the elongated material fed thereto, means actuated upon turning of the reel to said position moving the guide means to operative position and initiating operation of the feeding means and means actuated by stopping of the feeding means moving the guide means to inoperative position.

20. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, means for feeding by itself the leading end of elongated material into said opening and means for stopping the feeding means when the leading end of the elongated material has entered the opening to approximately a predetermined extent.

21. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material to the reel for engagement therewith so that upon turning of the reel the elongated material will bereeled up, means for stopping the feeding means when the leading end of the elongated material has been thus fed to the reel and means connected with the feeding means and operated by stopping thereof initiating turning of the reel to reel up the material.

22. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, feed rolls for feeding the leading end of elongated material to the reel for engagement therewith so that upon turning of the reel the elongated material will be reeled up, means for driving at least one of the feed rolls so constructed and arranged as to permit turning of the roll in the direction of drive while the driving means is inoperative, means for stopping the driving means when the leading end of the elongated material has been thus fed to the reel and means connected with the driving means and operated by stopping thereof initiating turning of the reel to reel up the material, the reeling up of the material causing turning of said roll while the driving means is inoperative.

23. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material to the reel for engagement therewith so that upon turning of the reel the elongated material will be reeled up, means for stopping the feeding means when the leading end of the elongated material has been thus fed to the reel, means connected with the feeding means and operated by stopping thereof initiating turning of the reel to reel up the material and means connected with said last-mentioned means operating the feeding the guide means when not opmeans to release the material upon initiation of turning of the reel.

24. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, means for feeding the leading end of elongated material to the reel for engagement therewith so that upon turning of the reel the elongated material will be reeled up, means connected With the feeding means initiating turning of the reel to reel up the material when the leading end thereof has been thus fed to the reel and means stopping turnin" of the reel when a predetermined amount of the material has been reeled up.

25. Mechanism for handling elongated material com prising a reel, means for gripping and feeding the leading end of elongated material to the reel for engagement therewith so that upon turning of the reel the elongated material will be reeled up, means connected with the feeding means initiating turning of the reel to reel up the material when the leading end thereof has been thus fed to the reel, means causing release of the grip of the feeding means on the material during reeling up of the material on the reel and means causing regripping of the material by the feeding means upon completion of the reeling action.

26. Mechanism for handling elongated material having portions at which the material may desirably be severed into lengths and other portions at which it should not be severed comprising a reel, a shear past which the material moves to the reel when being reeled up thereon and means operable upon reeling up of a predetermined amount of material and having a member extending into the path of the material to be operated by one of said portions thereof stopping the reel with one of said firstmentioned portions of the material in position to be sheared by the shear.

27. Mechanism for handling elongated material having portions at which the material may desirably be severed into lengths and other portions at which it should not be severed comprising a reel, a shear past which the material moves to the reel when being reeled up thereon, means operable upon reeling up of a predetermined amount of material stopping normal operation of the reel and means turning the reel slowly until one of said first-mentioned portions of the material is in position to be sheared by the shear.

28. Mechanism for handling wire fabric having cross wires comprising a reel, a shear past which the wire fabric moves to the reel when being reeled up thereon and means operable upon reeling up of a predetermined amount of the wire fabric including a projection engageable by a cross wire of the wire fabric stopping the reel with a portion of the wire fabric between cross wires in position to be sheared by the shear.

29. Mechanism for handling wire fabric having cross wires comprising a reel, a shear past which the wire fabric moves to the reel when being reeled up thereon, means operable upon reeling up of a predetermined amount of the wire fabric stopping normal operation of the reel, means thereafter turning the reel slowly and means including a projection engageable by a cross wire of the wire fabric stopping the reel with a portion of the wire fabric between cross wires in position to be sheared by the shear.

30. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel, a shear past which the material moves to the reel when being reeled up thereon, means for gripping and advancing the material adjacent the shear at the side thereof remote from the reel to feed the leading end of a subsequent length of elongated material forward to the reel after a reeled up length of such material has been removed from the reel and means connected with the reel for rendering inoperative the first mentioned means while the reel is rotating to reel up the material.

31. Mechanism for handling elongated material comprising a reel having an opening for receiving the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up, guide means for guiding the leading end of the elongated material to the reel, the guide means when not operative being movable to a position relatively remote from the reel to provide clearance about the reel, a device actuable to turn the reel to orient the opening to receive the leading end of elongated material to be reeled up and to move the guide mean to operative position to guide the leading end of the material into the opening and means moving the guide means to a position relatively remote from the reel when the leading end of the material has been received in the opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,050,246 Smith Ian. 14, 1913 1,105,622 Cornell Aug. 4, 1914 1,390,957 Hosch Sept. 13, 1921 1,467,841 Cumfer Sept. 11, 1923 1,966,525 Schultz et al July 17, 1934 2,066,377 \Vean et al Ian. 5, 1937 2,082,388 Getz June 1, 1937 2,119,445 Scott May 31, 1938 2,202,563 Mikaelson May 28, 1940 2,236,971 Iversen et al. Apr. 1, 1941 2,255,498 Babillis Sept. 9, 1941 2,257,743 Greer Oct. 7, 1941 2,357,389 Ferm Sept. 5, 1944 2,464,932 Jones Mar. 22, 1949 2,539,745 Keller Jan. 30, 1951 

